Greening your Office Space
March 4th, 2009 posted by 
Michelle Smith (149 total)
We have published a number of posts discussing different ways you can green your home, laundry routine, gift giving, and lifestyle. Something we have not brought up is how to green the area in which you work.
We all work in different jobs, indoors and outdoors, but whether it is your office at work, or home office, there are little things you can do to create a more livable and “green” work space. Thanks to Low Impact Living for some of these great ideas!
Form a green team
Gather a few co-workers together and meet monthly to discuss ways to green your own office. Having more than one person involved with the initiative will help ensure follow through and create a culture of green thinking.
Recycling Basics
Set up a recycling program at your office for paper and cans & bottles. If your company or organization cannot pay for a recycling service, recruit volunteers to share the responsibility of taking recyclables home each week.
Print double-sided
You can set your computer to print on both sides of the paper, saving your office or yourself money and reducing paper consumption. Check out these instructions from Indiana University or Middlebury College on how to print double-sided for PC’s and Macs. The EPA also offers some great tips on how to reduce your overall paper consumption.
Recycle your E-waste!
Offices often have a backlog of outdated computer equipment. Make sure your company’s E-waste is responsibly recycled. If you are in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont, your office can donate outdated computer equipment to Goodwill free of charge! Learn more about our ReConnect program.
Natural Cleaners
Work with your office manager or others to encourage the use of natural cleaners in your office. According to Low Impact Living, employees often complain of poor indoor air quality. Here in northern New England, where our windows need to remain shut more than half the year, it is important we keep our indoor air free of toxins.
Pick up some Plants
Certain kinds of plants can help improve air quality and add to the aesthetic and feel of your office space. Check out our previous post on winter cleaning tips in which we discussed some ideal plants and look for an upcoming post that discusses different plants in detail.
Reusable Lunchware
Keep a plate, bowl, and silverware in your office for lunch and/or stock your office’s kitchen area with ceramic and reusable plates and silverware. This will reduce paper product waste and save your office some green, too!
Reduce the Consumption of Bottled Water
According to Low Impact Living, Americans throw out over 35 BILLION plastic water bottles every year! Yikes! Instead of buying your water in a bottle, encourage your office to sign up for water delivery service and fill your own glass with water or just stick to the basics: drink tap water!
What does your office do to be more green? Post your comments and ideas and we’ll keep a running list going!
